NFL Network Sacked By Dish
Pro Football Channel Loses 4 Million Subs In Transfer To America’s Top 200 Package
By Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 2/20/2008 10:45:00 AM
The NFL Network has taken another distribution sack.
Dish Network dropped the pro football league’s in-house channel from its America’s Top 100 Package, moving it to the Americas Top 200 package Feb. 20. That means NFL Network has lost about 4 million subscribers -- America’s Top 100 reaches an estimated 12 million subscribers, versus some 8 million for America’s Top 200 -- reducing its base to some 31 million.
NFL Network last year absorbed another major carriage hit, when Comcast, backed by a judge’s ruling, migrated the service to a sports tier, resulting in the loss of about 8 million subscribers.
NFL Network is now positioned on channel 154 on Dish Network’s America’s Top 200 package.
“We are aware of Dish’s unfortunate decision, which is not in the best interest of its many subscribers who are football fans, especially this week with NFL Network’s exclusive coverage of the scouting combine featuring incoming college players from all over the country,” said Dan Masonson, the NFL’s director of corporate communications.
Dish Network officials declined to comment.
However in a note, entitled “NFL Network Free Preview Ending,” which was posted by Dish Network to its retailers’ Web site, the satellite service informed that: "NFL Network is moving out of Free Preview into America's Top 200 package, effective Wednesday, February 20th, 2008.
In order to prepare customers who currently subscribe to America's Top 100 or Top 100+, DISH Network will be communicating to customers that NFL Network is rolling up and moving from Free Preview to the America's Top 200 package effective February 19, 2008. This communication will begin on February 15th, 2008 at 11:59MST.”
Despite public and often strident remarks in the media and attempts to gain footing for its cause on Capitol Hill, NFL Network could not gain carriage traction with Time Warner Cable, Comcast Corp. and other cable operators during the 2007 football season. 
The distribution disconnect -- over the league’s game plan for expanded basic positioning and about a 70 cents monthly subscriber fee, and what distributors believe is a service whose value is largely tied to its eight-game primetime package -- eventually led the league to draft NBC and CBS to simulcast the regular-season finale that pitted the then-undefeated New England Patriots against the New York Giants, in what amounted to a preview of Super Bowl XLII.
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First I ahd to up grade from my 150 pkg and pay $6 more to get the local MLB games now I'm missing the NFL thursdays games!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm leaving DISH, I get a betterpicture from my roof antenna . Can't wait to go to UVERSE or TWC
Don Desotell - 11/13/2008 10:35:00 PM EST -
dish network gives nothing away not for over a year.
they became greedy they beleive this will expand their subscrber base of the top 200,the programing is terrible I pay for a 100 channels and watch 12 how many of you have looked to see what we are paying for 13 shopping channel 32 crappy music channels and the rest is just B.S. I am dropping dish network how many of you are foolish enough to keep paying for this abuse
david saunders - 2/27/2008 10:09:00 PM EST -
I'm dropping the DISH! End of discussion
Greg Cashman - 2/27/2008 9:00:00 PM EST -
Maybe this move might make the NFL negotiate a fair deal with Time Warner, Cablevision, Charter, Suddenlink, Bright House, etc.
Josh - 2/26/2008 3:58:00 AM EST -
If it was a "free 2 year preview" then how does DISH explain this press release reposted here from the web. I see NO mention of a preview. There is a lot more to this story that should be investigated.
"DISH Network & NFL Network Ink Broad Pact; Deal Includes Live Games to All Customers, Plus Full-Time High Definition Feed
NEW YORK, Jun 26, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) and NFL Network today announced a multi-year extension to bring many new advanced features to customers of EchoStar's DISH Network(TM) satellite TV service. These features include availability on DISH Network's America's Top 60; 168 games televised nationally including NFL Network's regular season primetime game package debuting this Thanksgiving; and full-time carriage of NFL Network's high-definition feed.
"Our renewed partnership with NFL Network allows us to continue to offer DISH Network customers advanced services at affordable prices," said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of programming for DISH Network. "NFL Network in America's Top 60 package allows DISH Network to bring this service to our customers at the lowest price in the industry, further strengthening the choice of our programming options."
"DISH Network is a terrific partner who has embraced NFL Network wholeheartedly," said Brian Decker, NFL Network's vice president of national accounts. "We look forward to continuing to drive positive results for its business and customers."
Beginning July 13, NFL Network will be available to DISH Network customers on Channel 154 on the America's Top 60 package ($29.99 per month) or above. NFL Network has been located on DISH Network Channel 154 since last September and is currently available to customers subscribing to America's Top 120 package or above.
Additionally, DISH Network will televise NFL Network's regular season primetime games nationally on both standard definition and high-definition feeds. DISH Network, offering the largest HD lineup in the U.S. with 29 channels, will make NFL Network's 24-hour high-definition feed available to DishHD Bronze and higher customers on a year-round basis on Channel 9426.
With NFL Network's exclusive access into key league events, football fans will have access to nearly 2,000 original hours of programming on NFL Network. Customers can subscribe to DISH Network by visiting www.dishnetwork.com, calling 1-800-333-DISH (3474) or visiting a local DISH Network retailer.
About EchoStar
EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves more than 12.2 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network(TM), the fastest growing U.S. provider of advanced digital television services in the last five years. DISH Network offers hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, HDTV, sports and international programming, together with professional installation and 24-hour customer service. Visit EchoStar's DISH Network at www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474)."
BD Kochis - 2/23/2008 2:22:00 PM EST
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